A proposal to develop an international Codex Alimentarius standard for seabuckthorn oil has been approved as a “new work,” to establish global quality and safety requirements for the product and expand its international market potential. The decision was made during the 49th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) plenary meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, where the proposal submitted by Mongolia was discussed and received support from member countries.

The approval officially launches the process of developing the first international Codex standard for seabuckthorn oil. The future standard will be developed through a science-based process, incorporating technical evidence and contributions from Codex member countries before moving through the organization’s review and approval stages.

The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry initiated the work in 2025 with the goal of strengthening the competitiveness of Mongolian seabuckthorn products, promoting exports, and reducing technical barriers that limit access to international markets. The country is one of the world’s recognized producers of seabuckthorn, a nutrient-rich fruit widely used in food, health and cosmetic industries. However, differences in quality requirements and safety regulations across countries have created challenges for producers seeking to expand into global markets. 

The development of a unified Codex standard is expected to provide internationally recognized benchmarks for the quality, safety, composition, and labeling of sea buckthorn oil, helping producers meet global trade requirements and increasing consumer confidence.

The ministry reported that the CAC’s decision represents international recognition of the country’s initiative and creates new opportunities to strengthen the agricultural exports and promote sea buckthorn oil as a competitive value-added product in global markets.